Systematic attack by The Councillor and Guardian begun:

From 1896 to 1898. "... the main object of the Society [is] to show in as many cases as possible, that applicants are unworthy of help in order to ease the consciences of the charitably disposed and to convince them that their donation for purpose of relief may just as well expended in salaries and such other 'incidentals' as have been referred to ... the Charity Organisation Society is unworthy of public confidence and support, and deserve to be placed on the black list of 'philanthropic' institurions".
This kind of criticism elevated to the dignity of an economic theory [Contemporary Review, November 1896]: "misreprisentation" of the principle.